Geofencing Definition
Geofencing is done through the use of global positioning system (GPS) or radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to build a virtual boundary that will allow software systems, specifically telematics, to activate an alert when a vehicle or mobile device crosses the boundary of a predetermined area.
What is Geofencing?
Fleet create virtual “geofences” or boundaries for a vehicle’s area of operation, like their daily route. The vehicle is equipped with an RFID tag or a mobile device with GPS so that it can be tracked if they enter or exit a geofenced area.
What is a Geofence?
A geofence is a virtual geographic boundary that reads when a vehicle enters or exits an area by detecting a mobile device or an RFID tag.
How Does Geofencing Work
Geofencing technology allows fleets to keep a close eye on their vehicles, especially those that are only supposed to operate in a predetermined location. The fleet manager and their team create specific virtual boundaries that vehicles should be operating within during work hours. If a vehicle goes outside of this “fence,” fleet managers are instantly notified through their software solution, allowing them to contact the driver and find out the reason for the deviation.
What is Geofencing Used For?
While there are several different applications for geofencing, in the fleet industry it is used to determine the location of vehicles and ensure that they are where they need to be throughout the day. Fleet managers can determine whether drivers are where they are supposed to be at any given time, ensuring that they are being productive throughout the workday. Geofencing can also be used to increase vehicle security and reduce the risk of vehicle theft.
Geofencing in Location Services
Using GPS-or RFID-enabled software, fleets can “draw out” a virtual boundary related to its routes or territory. The software can then detect if an RFID tag or mobile device (with location tracking enabled) passes the boundaries of the area. Fleet managers are then notified any time a vehicle enters or exits the area. Mobile apps can also be tied into this software, allowing them to track the vehicle or even driver behaviors within that area.
Advantages of Geofencing
There are a number of advantages to utilizing geofences with your fleet. Fleet managers are free to focus on other operational aspects of their company, since they will be instantly notified if a vehicle is operating outside its set geofenced area. These alerts allow fleet managers to instantly reach out to their drivers to see if there is an issue along a route, a maintenance-related issue that needs immediate attention, or even is the vehicle has been stolen. For school bus fleets, these alerts can indicate that a driver is done with their morning routes and heading back to the depot to refuel before starting their afternoon service. Fleet managers are also provided real-time data on their vehicles, giving them instant knowledge of the status of their entire fleet.
Disadvantages of Geofencing
Like other vehicle technologies, there can be some error in determining precise vehicle locations, sometimes setting off false alerts. Drivers may also be worrisome of anything that tracks their location, seeing the technology as “Big Brother” keeping track of them throughout the day. For some fleets, the maintenance of the system can be daunting if they have not been trained properly, which is why it is important to partner with an effective solution provider.
Does LifeSaver Mobile Provide Geofencing Technology?
LifeSaver Mobile’s distracted driving technology leverages geofencing to know when drives are started, which in turn helps to activate cell blocking on drives. Inherently, geofencing is incorporated within our technology to protect drivers behind the wheel.
